The first Trump Administration rhetoric was wild but the policy was strong; Trump was not 'Putin's poodle' despite claims, as the administration opposed Russia more than Obama or Biden did at least until the Ukraine invasion; this positive policy outcome depended heavily on advisers like HR McMaster and Mike Pompeo, and the new Trump circle is more isolationist.
factualpending
Speaker
Brett StevensEvidence Quote
“the rhetoric was often wild but the policy was pretty good... the administration did more to oppose Russia than either Obama had before it or uh certainly Biden did... surrounded by advisers like HR or uh his Mike Pompeo”
Source
The Comeback: The NYT’s Bret Stephens and the GoodFellows Recap the ’24 Election— Hoover InstitutionCreated: 8/11/2026, 1:46:20 AM
My Notes
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